Nigeria has been ranked fourth most terrorized country in the world, according to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index released by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This ranking is a significant jump from last year, when Nigeria was ranked sixth. The country experienced a 46 per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2025, with 750 fatalities recorded. The surge in terrorism has been linked to a protracted security crisis characterized by an escalation in terrorism, banditry, and high-profile kidnappings. The violence has taken a heavy toll on the nation's security apparatus, with several senior military officers among those killed in recent operations.
The Institute for Economics and Peace notes that terrorism remains highly concentrated, with just under 70 per cent of deaths from terrorism occurring in only five countries. Nigeria is one of the countries most impacted by terrorism, along with Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The report highlights the significant security risks facing Pakistan, which recorded the highest score on the Index and is the country most impacted by terrorism. The country's strained relations with its neighbours, combined with rising violence from the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, have created significant security risks.
The recent ranking is a stark reminder of the failure of the Tinubu administration to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. The PDP's allegations that insecurity has become a "lucrative trillion-naira economy" under President Tinubu's watch are not unfounded. The government's reactive responses to terrorist attacks have only exacerbated the problem, and it's time for a whole-of-society approach to restore order. The President must deploy his political expertise to stem the tide of violence and protect the lives and property of Nigerians. The buck stops at the presidency, and it's time for action, not just words.
